Device for automatically re-winding clocks or other mechanisms by the variations of the atmospheric temperature



1932- J. REUTTER 7 DEVICE FOR AUTOMATICALLY REWINDING' CLOCKS OR OTHER MECHANISMS I BY THE VARIATIONS OF THE ATMOSPHERIC TEMPERATURE Filed May 24, 192

i M/VENTOR Jed/1 Le a fiemfer W A f fa r ey Patented Nov. 1, 1932 v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE mm LEON nnu'r'rnn, or PARIS, matron DEVICE FOR AUTOMATICALLY IRE-WINDING CLOCKS OR OTHER MECHANISMS BY THE VARIATIONS 01 THE ATMOSPHERIC TEMPERATURE Application filed Kay 24, 1929, Serial No. 365,754, and in France November 28, 1928.

The present invention relates to a device for automatic winding of clocks or other mechanisms and more particularly to an automatic device of that type which utilizes I the temperature variations of the surrounding atmosphere.

Devices are already known which utilize the pressure difi'erences of the saturated vapor of a liquid or liquefied gas. Such de- 10 vices have one container immediately responsive to temperature variations and a second container which is maintained at a substantially constant or slowly variable temperature.

u The difference in temperature between the aforementioned two containers is utilized to produce, by virtue of the ensuing pressure difference, a displacement of a certain mass of liquid, such as mercury, separating both containers and contained in a tube or the like connecting said containers. The displacement of said mass causes an unbalanced condition of the device and consequently rotation about an axis to a condition of equilibrium with the transformation of energy.

The present invention has for its object the provision of a device which is free of certain disadvantageous features present in the known devices. According to the invention the container which is maintained at a sub-- stantially constant or veryslowly variable temperature is entirely surrounded by a chamber of constant or slowly variable temperature, such as a Dewar tube orthe like.

The interior volume of each of the containers is limited at the bottom by the free surface of the mercury which partially fills the U-tube.

The container with the saturated vapor to be kept at a substantially constant or very slowly variable temperature, may be preferably in thermal contact witha body having high specific heat and placed in a thermally isolated chamber (Dewar tube or the like).

This body may however be replaced by any substance which, by the physical or chemical changes that it can undergo, may be able to absorb or to restitute a great amount of heat without undergoing a substantial variation of temperature. The other container may be which is not such that its temperature will quickly change with that of the surrounding air.

The apparatus has thus a very simple construction and, as a further advantage, allows inversion of the apparatus without inconvenience, the mass of mercury automatically returning to its working position when the apparatus is replaced in the upright position, possible with the apparatus known hitherto.

The accompanying drawing forming part hereof diagrammatically illustrates devices based on the principles of my invention.

Figure 1 shows an example of such a de- Vice in which the energy is produced by the displacement of a mass of mercury and also utilize'd'in a practical manner.

Figures 2 and 3, on a smaller scale, show the same device in different operative positions.

Figure 4 is a modification of the device. Figure 5 is'a vertical section of the device of Figure 4 on line 5-5.

Throughout the views, the same reference indicia refer to the same or corresponding parts.

In the practice of my invention, as shown in Figure 1a thermally insulated tube or container 101' the Dewar tube type, contains a substance 2such as water, of high s ecific heat, and in which a branch 3 of a U- aped tube 3 is immersed. This tube contains a certain amount of mercury 4 and a liquid or liquefied gas 5, such as ammonia or carbonic acid, with its saturated vapor indicated at 6. The other branch 3 of the U-shaped tube is exposed to the atmospheric air. All these elements form a unit capable of rotating about an axis X.

The working of the device is as follows: If it is supposed that the temperature of the substance 2 is equal to the temperature of the surrounding air the pressure of vapor in both branches 3' and 3 is the same and the system is in equilibrium. But if a variation of the temperature of the air occurs (an increase, for instance), the temperature and pressure in the branch 3*, will rise whilst owing to the high specific heat of substance 2 and the vacuum betweencasings 7 and 8,

the temperature and pressure remains substantially constant in the branch 3". The difference of pressure will cause the mercury 4 to be driven from 3 to 3, thus producing an unbalanced condition which causes a clockwise rotation of the unit about the axis K (Fig. 2). Such a movement may be trans mitted to the energy storing means of a clock or the like. A lug is mounted on the tube land pivotally connected to a pawl 11 which engages the ratchet wheel 12 actuating the energy storing means (not shown)\. The pawl 13 alsoengages the ratchet wheel 12 and prevents counterclockwise movement thereof. When the temperature of the surrounding air decreases, the mercury 4 is driven back for the sanie reasons in the branch 3 and the oscillating movement takes place in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. In Figs. 4 and 5 is shown a modification of Fig. lin which a casing 8 containing the substance 2 of high specific heat is enclosed in a larger casing 7 Between the casings 7 and 8 is provided a thermal isolating medium, for instance, a vacuum. The space also comprises the U-shaped tube the branches of.

which are especially sha ed in order to insure the contact of the ranch 3 with the external casing 7 and the branch 3 with the internal casing 8. Both branches are preferably connected by a capillary tube 3. The working is similar to that of Fig. 1 and the oscillation is caused about the axis X.

Manifestly, variations may be resorted to and parts used without others.

Having now fully described my invention, I

I claim 1. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a U tube including a. pair of spaced interconnected branches, and a mass of mercury disposed within said U tube and normally extending a distance into both said brances, of a pivotally mounted container of slowly varying temperature supporting one branch of said U tube, a liquefied gas together with its sa turatedvapor disposed in each branch of said tube above the level of the mercury therein,

and a mass. of material of high specific heat arranged within said container in heat exchange contact with said one branch of said tube and extending above and below the general level of the mercury in said branch, the other branch of the Utube being exposed in thermal contact with the atmosphere.

2 In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a U tube including a pair of spaced interconnected branches, and a mass of mercury disposed within said U tube and normally extending a distance into both said branches, of a pivotally mounted container of slowly varying temperature rigid with one branch of said U "tube, a liquefied glas'together with its saturated vapor'dispo in each branch of said-tube branches, and a mass of mercury disposed.

within said U tube and normally extending a distance into both said branches, of a pivotally mounted container of slowly varying temperature arran ed adjacent to one branch of said U tube, a liquefied gas together with its saturated vapor disposed in each branch of said tube above the level of the mercury therein, and a mass of material of high specific heat arranged within said contalner in heat exchange relation with said one branch. of said tube and extending above and below the general level of the mercury in said branch, the other branch of the U tube belng exposed in thermal contact with the atmosphere.

4.-In an apparatus of the character described, a pivoted unit for utilizingatmospheric temperature changes, comprlsmg the combination with a U tube including a pair of spacedinterconnected branches, and a mass of mercury disposed within said U tube and normally extending a distance into both said branches, of a container of slowly varyin temperature enveloping one branch of sai U tube, a liquefied gas together with its saturated vapor disposed in each branch of said tube above the level of the mercury therein, and a mass of material of high specific heat arranged within said container in heat exbranches, and a mass of mercury disposed within said U'tube and normally extending a distance into both said branches, of a container of slowly varying temperature arranged adjacent to one branch of said U tube, a liquefied gas together with its saturated vapor disposed in each branch of said tube above the level of the mercury therein, and a mass of material of high specific heat arranged within said container in heat exchange relation with said one branch of said tube and extending above and below the general level of the mercury in said branch, the

other branchof the U tubebeing exposed in thermal contact with the atmos here.

In an apparatus of'the c aracter descr bed, the comb nation with a U tube ineach branch of said'tube above the level of the mercury therein, and a mass of material I of high specific heat arranged within said container and also enveloping said portion and upper end of said one branch of saidposed in heat exchange tube in-order to be dis relation with said branch and extending above and below the general level of the mercuryin said branch, the other branch of the U tube being exposed in thermal contact with the atmosphere.

In testimony whereof I have-aflixed my sig- JEAN LEON REUTTER.

temperature en- I 

